Golden State Warriors nail down sixth spot with win to end regular season

The Warriors handled business in the regular-season finale, scoring a 99-88 win over the host Blazers on Wednesday. They locked up the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. And point guard Stephen Curry knocked down four from beyond the arc, setting an NBA single-season record for most 3-pointers.

Now, Golden State makes its first postseason appearance since 2007. The Warriors will face the No. 3 Denver Nuggets in the first round.

Game 1 is Saturday in Denver and Game 2 is Tuesday. The Warriors will host Games 3 and 4 at Oracle Arena on April 26 and 28.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry gestures after sinking a three-point basket during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, April 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

"At this point last year, most of us were having the conversation about when we were heading out of town," said forward David Lee, who totaled 20 points and 10 rebounds. "Bags were packed, cars shipped out. So for us, this is really exciting. We know we have a challenge in front of us and we're ready to get started."

The Warriors (47-35) knocked several items off their to-do list this season. Get off to a good start. Compile a winning record. Make the playoffs. Finish the season strong. They've done all that.

The next goal: win a playoff series. This might be their toughest task all season.

Golden State lost three of four to the Nuggets, including an double-overtime loss at Oracle Arena. Denver finished the season with an NBA-best 38-3 home record.

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The Nuggets have some of the same strengths as the Warriors -- play uptempo, can score in bunches, rebound well, have a tough home crowd. But Denver has a few advantages over the Warriors: depth and athleticism.

"They're a very well-coached team," coach Mark Jackson said. "They're a talented basketball team with a lot of weapons. They execute you, beat you, force you to play their style. ... So the challenge is there. We're looking forward to a great series."

But before it could face Denver, which routed Phoenix to lock up the No. 3 seed, Golden State had to handle Portland. The Warriors built a 16-point lead in the first half, which was highlighted by Curry setting the record.

He knocked down his second 3-pointer of the night at the 6:49 mark of the second quarter. That put him at 270 3-pointers for 2012-13, the most ever in a season. The previous mark was 269, set by then-Seattle guard Ray Allen in 2005-06.

Curry only needed two after hitting 16 3-pointers his last two games -- nine on Friday at the Los Angeles Lakers and seven on Monday at home against San Antonio.

"Before the Lakers game, I thought it was well out of reach," said Curry, the game ball safely tucked in his arms. "You don't plan on hitting 20 to finish out the season in three games. ... Pretty special season."

The Blazers, who closed the season with 13 straight losses, made a game of it in the second half. They got as close as three points a few times. But Curry and Lee combined for 19 points in the fourth quarter to put the Blazers away.

With just under four minutes left, Curry iced the game by doing what he does best. He drilled a fade-away 3-pointer in the right corner to push Golden State's lead to 91-77 to all but seal it.

Now, it's playoff time.

"We've got to be wrapped up in every nuance of their system and ours," Curry said. "We've got to be prepared. I think it starts now. If we're not locked in now, we're not going to be prepared."

Warriors center Andrew Bogut returned to the lineup Wednesday. He had missed the past two games, and half of a third, with a sprained left ankle.

He totaled just over 17 minutes, sitting the entire third quarter, and finished with two points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

"My ankle's as good as it's going to get right now," Bogut said. "Got a little swelling out and got my range of motion back the last couple of days. I wanted to at least get some minutes and, obviously, play in the playoffs."